Feed the Birds

For Christmas, Charlie gave Max a birdhouse kit so they could build a birdhouse together. Charlie loves doing projects with Daddy so this may have been more of a gift for him. On New Years Eve Charlie and Max put their birdhouse together and painted it. Last week they finally found the perfect spot to put the birdhouse, on a big knotty tree in our side yard where Charlie can see it from his chair at the dinner table. 

Charlie and I decided that we should make bird feeders to put around the house to attract the birds. We are really hoping we get some baby birds come springtime!

Charlie made this simple bird feeder...which some animal has since carried off...

And we made a great toilet paper tube bird feeder.

We've been having fun checking on the bird house and bird feeders...especially since so many birds are out with this early Spring we are having. 

Valentine's Day

Valentine's day started quite early when Charlie woke up sometime around 7, I decided to go make breakfast with him and let Daddy sleep in. We decided to make some delicious Lemon Poppyseed muffins, and eggs, and turkey bacon. Charlie is a great kitchen helper and he loved bringing Daddy breakfast in bed. 

After breakfast, I got to go to Target and a baby shower all by myself. Going to Target alone is always quite a treat. And our wonderful friend Marissa passed her due date two days earlier and was still pregnant so some of her friends put together an amazing brunch to make the waiting a little more enjoyable. (Side note, I just visited her today, 1 week past due and she is still pregnant...poor lady) It was an excellent brunch and fun to have an outing with other women. We are super excited for that baby boy to join their family. 

When I got home we tried to coordinate the boys to nap at the same time but that backfired when Charlie started screaming and woke up Miles who then refused to go back to sleep. Eventually Charlie slept. In the afternoon we decided to go on a hike that turned out to be just going to the new park and then walking on the trails around the park and throwing rocks into the creek. It is always a super fun day at the park when Daddy comes. 

It was getting dark at this point so I did what I could as far as pictures go.

We opted out of going on a couples date, partly because we have needed a lot of babysitting already as of late and we also recently planned a couple of romantic dates in the near future including our anniversary getaway, a couple's massage class and Phantom of the Opera. So we decided to have some good family quality time and I also feel pretty special that I have 3 handsome Valentines.

Miles also got to go down the slide for his first time by himself. It wasn't pictured very well as I was on the receiving end, catching him before he flew off the end. He loved it and went down again and again...until he bonked his head.

On our way home we picked up some delicious Thai take out and went home to eat it. We then cleaned up and played Chutes and Ladders with Charlie. We just got it so it was Charlie's first time. 

He mastered his flicking skills.

We then got the boys in bed and we got to enjoy the rest of our Valentines Day as couple.

Update: I forgot that I wanted to add our art project that we did for Daddy...It was our first time doing a glitter art project. We had this on the wall when Max came home from work on the Friday before V-day.

Park Day!

A couple days ago we found out that a brand new playground was built at the foresty park near our house. We had to check it out! We invited our friends, dressed up like wild animals,

 and went for a picnic in the park. It's a little tricky to find which I kind of like now that I know where it is. It's nice that Charlie is a little bit older and he can play a LITTLE more freely without me hovering over him. He had so much fun climbing and running!

He picked the Dinosaur "coat" on our way out the door.

This kid loves eating dirt...Pureed peas are gross, but dirt...irresistibly delicious!

Kerri came with Madeleine and Isla. We were happy to have our friends there

After a yummy picnic where each child wanted what the other one brought. the kids had so much fun together. Madeleine is Charlie's best friends but it seems that they have a hard time getting along when they have to share toys. So playing at the park is perfect for them.

So much fun in the swing!

The babies weren't as coordinated on the swing and this is the best photo from their experience.

And of course they were running away from their mommies when it was time to go. 

10 Months

Miles has become Mr. Personality. He's turning into a big kid and is finding his sense of humor. He's initiating games to make us laugh.  He's becoming stronger and climbing to dangerous heights. He is a happy kid. He is eating a lot more solid food and making bigger messes. His sleeping is getting better again. Diaper changing has become a huge wrestling workout for me so sometimes I dread that. He's not super interested in standing on his own but will climb on anything and everything possible. He's starting to become a little more timid around strangers. He loves bath time with his big brother. He is still pretty small and wearing mostly 6 months clothes and pajamas but I think He will move up to 9 months pretty soon.  

Our baby seems to be vanishing and a little boy is replacing him. He is fun to interact with and he loves playing with toys on his own as well.

He is quite the waver and has started clapping. He waves to you if you tell him "hi" even if you don't wave at him. I swear he's even said "HI" too, is that possible? He waves to strangers that smile at him in the store. I love it.

We truly love that Miles is part of our family and I think Charlie likes it most of the time. They have been playing together and wrestling more and more. 

We love our Miles. And in two months he will be ONE! EEEKK

So much Handsome

So My boys have matching ties. Charlie and Max got matching ties for Father's day a couple years ago. But then we decided to get one for Miles, or rather, get a bigger one for Charlie and Miles could wear Charlie's old tie. ( I know you all came to this post to hear the evolution of the orange ties) Anyway, my boys all went to church matchy matchy! I need to get something orange, maybe a ribbon for my hair... Anyway...here are some matching photos of my boys. 

Ok...I guess the first couple of just of Charlie. 

Oh that glasses glare..I have to figure out how to eliminate that. Did anyone else notice how Harry Potter never had any glare on his glasses?...magical I tell you!

And these boys make my heart explode...I just love them all so much! Life has been so good to me.

And then there was a photo of me with my boys...I then realized it is still not flattering to be sitting in a photo...oh well..the boys are so adorable.

And those are my matchy matchy boys. Pretty handsome if you ask me!